February 2013 PPAH Furry Friends News

February is an exciting time at Portage Park Animal Hospital. We will be participating once again in theCook County Spay and Neuter Program (Save $40) and be offering a Dental Special (Save 10%).

If your pet has not been spayed or neutered yet and/or has bad breath and is in need of a good dental cleaning call us today to schedule.

Financing options available through CareCredit.

Does your pet have bad breath? It may be time for a dental

When was the last time you looked at your pet's teeth? Take a moment and flip the lip....
Did it look like any of the photos below? If so, you should schedule your pet to have their teeth cleaned, they may even need extractions.

Research shows that proper dental care is probably the most important thing you can do to add years and quality to your pet's life. Just like in humans, pets are susceptible to plaque and tartar build-up, which can lead to gingivitis and even periodontitis, a chronic form of the disease that can be painful. Whenever it is possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it. 

 If your pet is not cooperating with you to look in their mouth, bring them by for a free dental consult. One of our dental specialists can evaluate your pet's teeth and let you know what stage dental cleaning they will require.

Our dental packages include IV catheter and fluid therapy, dental x-rays, scaling and polishing, pain medication (when required) and a dental care kit. Bloodwork is recommended prior to anesthetic procedures (additional cost).

We do dental cleanings Monday through Friday.

Call us to schedule a dental cleaning for your pet today! 

  

Remember prevention IS the best medicine!

Thank you for placing your pet's health and trust in us. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Roger Schrock 

Portage Park Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic

Winter Hazards

Now that the holidays are over and we’re in the thick of winter, a new set of toxins exist for your pet that we want to make you aware of: de-icers and antifreeze.

De-icers are commonly used in the winter and they can pose several problems for pets.

First, they can act directly as a skin irritant if they remain in contact with the skin for too long. This is most commonly seen in the feet, especially in the webbing between the toes. The skin may be red, swollen or painful and cause the pet to bite/lick the feet or possibly limp. If it’s impossible to completely avoid areas with de-icers, booties may be your pet’s best option. Not all dogs tolerate this, in which case rinsing the feet with warm water may prevent irritation. This can be done with either a bowl of water or with a wet towel.

Second, they can act as a gastro-intestinal irritant if orally consumed. The severity is directly related to the amount consumed. The typical signs are drooling, depression or vomiting. In very severe case, electrolyte imbalances and neurologic signs can occur.

In general de-icers containing calcium salts tend to be the most irritating to the skin and GI tract. Urea based de-icers tend to be the most pet-friendly, but unfortunately are supposedly the least effective at de-icing.

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is another common hazard to your pet. Ingestion of just a few teaspoons is enough to cause potentially fatal kidney failure in dogs and cats. Unfortunately, it is very sweet and has a pleasant taste to most pets. Be sure to keep it in tightly closed containers and stored in secure cabinets. Thoroughly clean up any spills and keep your dog away from suspicious puddles on a walk. Pets that have ingested antifreeze may have an increased thirst or urination or may act lethargic. Contact your vet right away if you have any suspicions of antifreeze toxicity.

-Dr. Ken Schwartz.